348 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
January 29, 1887. 
ORCHID NOT ES AND GLEANINGS. 
Orchid Growers’ Calendar. —The fogs in 
the neighbourhood of towns, and the dull weather 
everywhere, have made sad work with the Orchid 
flowers, crippling numbers, and utterly destroying 
many more. Now that we may reasonably hope to 
have done with the bad fogs for this season, the glass 
of the houses should be washed on the outside where 
necessary. This can, in many cases, be conveniently 
done from the sides of the houses by means of a brush 
fixed on a long handle, the roof being syringed both 
before and after the brush is used. 
Free ventilation, judiciously restricted according to 
the weather outside, should from henceforth be made a 
point of, even carrying it so far as to set all the Orchid 
house doors open 1 in. or 2 ins. for a time in the 
middle of the day in really genial weather. 
Continue the repotting of the cool-liouse Orchids 
which require it by attending to all the varieties of 
Oncidium cucullatum, 0. Phalsenopsis, 0. longipes, 0. 
cheirophorum, 0. concolor, &c. These dwarf cool-house 
Oncidiums do best grown like Odontoglossum Eossii 
majus and 0. Cervantesii, and are safer in baskets or 
suspended pans than on the stage. All the Pleiones 
may now be repotted, using fibry peat and sphagnum 
moss ; they also do much better when grown suspended 
near the roof. 
The Catasetums, Mormodes and Cycnoches, which 
should be kept together, must be well looked after, 
giving them a little water to keep them plump as 
required, and repotting any seen to be pushing growth 
strongly ; such repotted growing plants to have a 
steadily-increasing supply of water as their roots appear. 
These plants are, generally speaking, not well grown ; 
and yet they are easy enough to cultivate if treated, as 
regards growth and rest, much the same as deciduous 
Dendrobiums .—James O'Brien. 
Orchid Culture : Experiments with Jen¬ 
sen's Fish Manure. —The value of many species 
of Orchids precludes any experimentary treatment; 
still, it is advisable to attempt this with some of the 
cheaper varieties, and the results would doubtless be 
instructive. It is with regret I have to say our suc¬ 
cesses are not equal to our failures ; but the pleasure of 
having gained some knowledge, even if it has had to 
he purchased, is something. In 1885, we commenced 
giving a selection of Calanthes liquid manure—com¬ 
posed of Jensen’s fish-bones dissolved in rain-water—in 
a very diluted form about every ten days, gradually 
increasing the quantity as the plants grew, and until 
they had the spikes well advanced. This we did for 
comparison with some grown in ordinary rich potting 
material, and from the vigour of the growths made by 
the selection, we had great hopes of a better display of 
bloom. This, however, was not the case, as, without 
exception, the best blooms came from those grown with 
the ordinary potting material. Continuing the experi¬ 
ment, we have the same result this year as regards the 
flowers; and, in addition, found it impossible, with 
some varieties, to keep them from growing. Although 
the bulbs last made were decidedly more robust in 
appearance, they commenced, one by one, to rot off. 
No treatment appeared to dry up the sap from the 
latest growths, and the experiment must, with me, be 
pronounced a failure. 
In the same year (1885) we adopted a similar treat¬ 
ment with some Lycastes, using Jensen’s fish-bones in 
the proportion of one thumb-pot to six gallons of water, 
always taking great care in using it not to let it touch 
the young growths. No better result in growth was 
discernable ; and although, in 1885-6, it was thought 
we had a greater number of blooms from those put 
under this treatment, it was by no means certain that 
such was the case. There is no doubt, however, this 
year ; one particular plant with one shoot, which has 
been carefully watched, and which flowered in the 
summer and again now, has had eleven flowers, and in 
the latter case the flowers are much finer and better 
coloured than before. The bulbs are no larger, but the 
foliage is more robust, and, together with the bulbs, 
are of a darker green colour. In addition to this, some 
are breaking again very freely. 
On the whole, this gives sufficient encouragement to 
continue the experiment. One great drawback is the 
excessive amount of care required to prevent the moss 
from being killed ; but of this more anon, when I 
describe other subjects so treated. In next year’s 
potting we shall mix a slight proportion of the manure 
with the potting material, and thus try it in a different 
manner. I may observe that the general treatment is 
the same in every respect ; but in trying such experi¬ 
ments, I should strongly suggest— Caution. 
Coelogyne cristata. —-There are two varieties of 
Ccelogyne cristata in cultivation, the generally culti¬ 
vated variety and the Chatsworth variety, the latter 
being decidedly the best. At the Botanical Gardens, 
Birmingham, a quantity of plants of each variety may 
now be seen just coming into bloom, Mr. Latham 
having obtained the Chatsworth variety direct from 
Chatsworth. It is a stronger grower, forming larger 
pseudo-bulbs with larger racemes of flowers, and the 
young shoots are of a deeper brown colour, so that it 
can easily be distinguished before the flowers expand. 
Mr. Thomas also cultivated this last variety extensively 
at Chatsworth. 
Oncidium crispum. —From Admiral Fairfax, 
Ravenswood, Melrose, part of an inflorescence of Onci¬ 
dium crispum has reached us,having fine large flowers of 
an intense chocolate-brown colour, with the exception 
of the labellum, which had a large clear yellow blotch 
in front of the prominent and much-lobed or toothed 
crest; all the segments were conspicuously undulated 
and crisped at the margin. Some handsome specimens 
of Sophronitis grandiflora were also sent, displaying an 
intense scarlet colour, especially the petals ; the flowers 
measured over 2J inches across the petals, while the 
latter were individually an inch in breadth and very 
conspicuous. 
Dendrobium Fytchianum roseum.— 
Amongst the smaller-flowered species, this is certainly 
one of the best and also most attractive. The slender 
upright stems are leafless when in bloom, but lateral 
racemes of flowers are produced near their apex in mid¬ 
winter, when such things are much appreciated. In 
the typical form, the whole flower is of the purest white, 
with the exception of a small rosy blotch on the centre 
and the lateral lobes of the labellum. The above 
variety is flowering in Mr. B. S. Williams’ nursery at 
Holloway, and is a decided acquisition—worth growing 
in a collection even where the other exists. The colours 
of the labellum, which is bearded in the throat, are very 
much intensified, and the sepals and petals are of a 
distinct rosy lilac colour. The type is figured in the 
Botanical Magazine, t. 5444. 
Zygopetalum Mackayi.— Avery fine formofthis 
popular and much-cultivated Orchid has been received 
fromF. G. Tautz, Esq., Studley House, Hammersmith. 
The specimen sent is either a large-flowering form or 
the result of good cultivation. The chestnut-brown 
blotches on the sepals and petals are much larger and 
of a deeper shade than in the ordinary form of the 
species. A good and distinct-coloured form of Odonto¬ 
glossum maculatum accompanied the above, where the 
clear yellow of the petals and labellum contrasted well 
with the deep brown sepals. The base of the petals, 
together with the whole surface of the labellum, were 
evenly blotched with hrown. 
Calanthes not Flowering. — Most of the 
Calanthes here have failed to flower this season, and I 
should like to know whether any other of your readers 
have had a similar experience. Our plants were potted 
about the usual time, when just starting into growth, 
and grew vigorously until the end of August, when 
black spots appeared on the leaves of some plants which 
were suspended in pots, and in a few weeks they were 
nearly all affected, more or less, with them on the 
bulbs then being formed, as well as on the leaves ; and 
though they attained moderate dimensions, nearly all 
failed to flower. They were grown in the same house, 
and in a similar compost to that used in previous years, 
when they proved thoroughly satisfactory.— IV. P. 
Catasetum tridentatum. —The varieties of 
this Orchid must be rather numerous, judging from 
recent importations as well as those originally intro¬ 
duced to this country. A form flowering in the 
gardens at Devonhurst, Chiswick, and imported from 
the West Indies about 1884, shows a deviation from 
the normal form, not only in the colour of the labellum, 
but in the depth and distinctness of the three apical 
teeth which has given rise to the specific name. The 
whole flower presents the same conformation and 
fleshy character of the labellum as in the type ; but 
the colour of all the organs is paler, including the 
spotting of the petals, which seems to be a constant 
and prevailing character of the species. In the coloured 
figures representing this species the labellum is a dark 
orange-brown ; but in the variety under notice it is 
primarily of a pale yellow, with, perhaps, a greenish 
tint, especially towards the base of the pouch, after¬ 
wards fading to a deeper tint of yellow. 
The Gardeners’ Calendar. 
THE PLANT HOUSES. 
Herbaceous Calceolarias must now receive a 
shift from 60’s into, say, 32’s, which will keep them all 
right for a long time. Perhaps it will be well to say 
that before potting begins, it will be advisable to see 
that the stock is quite free from insect pests. If not, 
let them be lightly fumigated upon three consecutive 
nights, and all should then go well. If they can 
be accommodated for a short time after potting on 
the stages of the intermediate house, they will start 
more readily than if placed in a cool house ; at the 
same time, care must be taken that they do not remain 
in this temperature too long, as they are most impatient 
of heat. The weaker specimens of the stock can be 
left over and be placed on a shelf, where in all proba¬ 
bility they will make useful stuff for a later batch. 
Pelargoniums, &c.— Preparation should now also 
be made for the final potting of the show and fancy 
Pelargoniums. The soil should be mixed without 
delay, and consist of good fibry loam, leaf-soil and 
well-rotted cow manure. Let the heap be turned over 
twice or three times a week, and a careful watch kept 
for wireworms, which frequently abound in old pastures. 
Slices of Carrot thrust here and there in the heap are 
excellent traps. Many of the Epacris will now be 
coming into flower, and may be used most effectively 
staged in the show house or conservatory ; their long 
graceful spikes of flower give a very pretty effect when 
staged amongst such heavy masses as Azaleas and 
Cinerarias. 
Salvias. — It will be advisable now to remove the 
whole of the Salvias from the house where they have 
been staged, selecting one or two stools of each variety, 
which may be cut back and placed in a slight heat to 
furnish a supply of cuttings for next season’s stock. 
The old, but beautifully-coloured, S. patens may 
shortly be brought from the cold pits, and started in a 
gentle heat—that is, if it is necessary to increase the 
stock ; if not, they should be started later on. A good 
batch of this potted up, and kept growing on, is most 
valuable for midsummer decorative work. 
Gesnerias and Tyd.eas are now fast going past 
their best, and should be gradually dried off by with¬ 
holding the supply of water in part. They must not, 
however, be stored away while the foliage remains 
fresh, or it will be at the expense of the rhizomes, 
which will not be perfect. Some of the Tydoeas throw 
up offsets while the parent continues in bloom. In 
this case, it is as well to take off sufficient of these for 
stock, and when the blooming period is over to throw 
the old plants away. 
Gardenias. — Let a thorough cleansing be given to 
the stock of these, which will shortly be starting into 
flower. We find nothing so good for the purpose as 
paraffin oil, which effectually destroys mealy bug 
without damaging the plants. A wine-glassful to a 
gallon of soft-water is of sufficient strength for all 
plant cleansing. - 
THE FORCING HOUSES. 
In the Early Peach House disbudding should 
by this time be completed, and as soon as the growths 
left have attained a length of 2 ins., they should be 
carefully tied to the wires. Keep a sharp look-out for 
aphis, and should any be perceivable fumigate lightly 
on alternate nights until they are destroyed. The 
trees should be syringed twice a day, in the morning 
after the pipes are warmed and again about 3 p.m. on 
bright days. With the aid of sun-heat, the tempera¬ 
ture may be allowed to run as high as 75°, provided 
there is little or no heat in the pipes. The house, too, 
must be freely and carefully ventilated, avoiding cold 
draughts, for it is next to impossible to grow good 
Peaches without the admission of plenty of air to the 
structure in which they are growing. 
Early Vines. —Where the early Vines were started 
at the beginning of November, they should now be 
ready for thinning ; this must be done very carefully, 
as the berries are very tender and easily bruised, and 
the slightest injury now causes an ugly blemish later 
on. Be extremely careful that no gusts of air are 
admitted, or rust will assuredly follow. The laterals 
may be allowed to grow rather freely, stopping at the 
third or fourth leaf according to the quantity of foliage 
required. Close stopping of early forced Vines is to be 
deprecated. We have completed the clearing of late 
